Speculation surrounds which mobile network operator will be carrying the iPhone in the UK, as they've all been keeping rather quiet. Whichever operator it is, you'd think they'd want to make a grand announcement themselves in order to jump onto the fast moving iPhone bandwagon in the hope that some of the hype rubs off on them.

Well it seems that UK phone retailer Phones2UDirect might have let the cat out of the bag, as they're currently displaying an Apple iPhone page listing Vodafone as the carrier, and the iPhone's UK price as being just £35 - £40 per month depending on tariff.

This compares well with other mid- to high-end phones. Of course, we don't know how much the handset itself will cost, as at least in the UK, the handsets themselves are usually massively subsidised. Indeed, such is our penchant for subsidies that virtually all mobile phones are free, with the monthly tariff and free texts or calls being the only differentiator between the operators.

T-Mobile was the operator everyone thought would be bringing the iPhone to the UK, but now everything seems to be pointing to Vodafone, so Phones2UDirect might just have a scoop on their hands.

A research note by Credit Suisse also backs Vodafone as being the iPhone's UK operator, possibly gaining exclusive rights to it for 5 years like AT&T has in the US.

However, Vodafone are currently trying to hype up 3G at the moment, whereas the US version of the iPhone is EDGE enabled, but doesn't come with 3G. Rumours that the UK might be getting a 3G iPhone, therefore, now seem to be a bit more credible, as Vodafone are unlikely to carry a non-3G phone as their top of the range phone.

Granted, all this is speculation, but it does lead us to think that a 3G iPhone from Vodafone for around £35 per month should be on its way around about November. Hmmm, that would be just in time for Christmas...I could think of worse Christmas presents!

[Source: Engadget, Phones2UDirect]